John P. Keller takes on the title role in 'Nicholas Nickleby'

THE ARTISTIC TYPE: A BLOG OF THEATER, ARTS AND CULTURE

John P. Keller plays the title role in "The Life and Adventures… (Landon J. St. Gordon )

January 10, 2014|By Matthew J. Palm, Orlando Sentinel Arts Writer

John P. Keller plays the title role — Nicholas Nickleby — in the largest production ever attempted by Orlando Shakespeare Theater. Despite the challenges of such a role, Keller says being in the 6.5-hour production, which is presented in two parts, is a unique opportunity.

"When someone says, 'You get to play the lead in this epic play that's never done,' how do you say no to that?" Keller says. "Everyone walks into rehearsal and thanks the theater gods they're able to work on this project."

He's not far off the mark in saying "The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby" is "never" done: The Shakes will stage only the 7th U.S. production of the show since playwright David Edgar adapted Dickens' novel in 1980. Jim Helsinger and Christopher Niess will co-direct.

Some may recall an even longer version of the play, released on video and aired on PBS in the 1980s. The playwright condensed his work in 2006 to the current length. Even so, the Shakes will still employ 27 actors to play more than 150 characters in the production.

I talked with Keller just two weeks before opening night — Friday, Jan. 24.

The leading man

As John P. Keller arrives for an interview, he drops the thick binder he's lugging onto a table. It lands with a thud. Turns out, it's his script.

The actor is nonchalant about the number of words he's learning.

"If the script is written really well, it does the work for you," he says.

A reporter remains skeptical. Really?

A-ha, the actor has a secret technique to aid in memorization: Keller uses his physical movements, known as "blocking" in the theater world, to recall what he should be saying.

"Once we block the scene, something clicks in my mind, and it just works logically," he says.

Of course, rehearsing the scenes present other challenges — especially as they aren't always rehearsed in sequence.

"I keep trying to remember 'What does Nicholas know in this scene? What doesn't he know?" Keller says.

Keller, a New York-based actor, has had a year of extremes. In October, he starred in the one-man "Dracula: The Journal of Jonathan Harker" for the Shakes.

"That was the first one-man show I've ever done, and this is the largest show I've ever done," he says. "So it's back to back, smallest to biggest."

Surviving a solo performance made the prospect of "Nickleby" less daunting.

"I was terrified going into 'Dracula,'" he says. "In 'Dracula' I never had a moment to stop. It was all on me to keep the ball in the air."

For "Nickleby," the pressure is spread out.

"Normally, this would be scary and demanding and overwhelming but after carrying 'Dracula,' now I'm onstage and say a few lines and then someone else says something," he explains, laughing. "It's great! Now there are 26 other brains in the room!"

Keller has bonded with Alison McLemore and Jean Tafler, the women who play his sister and mother respectively.

"The three of us realized we had to get together and talk about our 'family,'" he says. "It matters that you can go grocery shopping with each other. The relationships you build outside the rehearsal hall matter."

'The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby'

• What: A two-part production of the David Edgar play, adapted from the Charles Dickens novel, by Orlando Shakespeare Theater

• When: Part 1 opens at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 24; part 2 opens at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 31. The two parts then play in repertory through March 9

• Where: Lowndes Shakespeare Center, 812 E. Rollins St., Orlando

• Tickets: $17-$40. A "20 Under 30" Night is scheduled for Feb. 14; all tickets for patrons younger than 30 will be $20.

• What else: On select dates, beginning Feb. 1, it will be possible to see both plays in the same day with a dinner break. Dinner packages, featuring a Victorian-themed meal at Orlando's White Wolf Café, are available. The theater will also arrange a box lunch from Panera Bread to be delivered to the theater for patrons. To make a day-and-night getaway of the experience, hotel packages are available, too. Find details at OrlandoShakes.com.